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A lecture at St. John’s College S.P.G., Rangoon, 9th Feb. 1933

Dr. John Ebenezer Marks, D.D., V.D.
1832 – 1915
King Thibaw’s Sayadaw who was a
universally esteemed Christian Missionary and Educationalist.

St John’s College, S.P.G., during the close of the 19th century was, without doubt, easily the leading educational institution in Burma. The College had two efficient Cadet Companies that helped to maintain law and order in Rangoon during troubled days. The brass band as well as the fife and drum band enlivened the school. At the Athletic meetings or in the football grounds the school had no equal. The founder was Dr. Marks, whom King Mindon usually address as “Hpondawgyi” and his boys or “sons,” as he affectionately called them, bore the proud name of “Saya Mat Kyaung Thas.”

St John’s College, S.P.G., during the close of the 19th century was, without doubt, easily the leading educational institution in Burma. The College had two efficient Cadet Companies that helped to maintain law and order in Rangoon during troubled days. The brass band as well as the fife and drum band enlivened the school. At the Athletic meetings or in the football grounds the school had no equal. The founder was Dr. Marks, whom King Mindon usually address as “Hpondawgyi” and his boys or “sons,” as he affectionately called them, bore the proud name of “Saya Mat Kyaung Thas.”

Dr Marks was a well-known figure in Burma half a century ago. It is well over a quarter of a century now since he left Burma, yet his memory is fresh amongst some of us, his numerous “sons.” The younger generation of “Johnians,” however, are growing up, who know not the old Doctor, to know whom is in itself a liberal education. It is with the view of acquainting the younger “Johnians” of the extraordinary personality of the great founder and thus rescuing him from oblivion that this lecture is given.

John Ebenezer Marks was born in London in 1832. He was of Jewish extraction and though an English Jew, may be classed as a Burman and claim a pre-eminent place amongst the notable heroes of Burma, having spent over 40 years here.

Educated in London, he started life as a school master in the East End amongst boys who were notorious for their roughness, but, with his unique sympathy and genius for teaching, he succeeded in exercising an extraordinary influence over them.

Having worked as a teacher for three years he volunteered for service, under the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Countries.

On being posted to Moulmein, he received gratuitous advice from several of his well wishers, “Don’t go to Burma” said a Major whose regiment had been in there, “you will die of malaria in a month, and if you don’t die of that, those bloodthirsty Burmans will kill you, their great delight is to kill while people.”

Other friends also told him that the East was unhealthy and Burma was one of the worst places. These discouraging reports, however, did not deter young Marks, whose resolve to come out to Burma was unaltered.

Marks, who was then 27 years old, set out in a small sailing vessel in December 1859, with crew and passengers numbering fourteen in all. The voyage lasted over 5 months. In the middle of May 1860 their vessel sighted the hills of Moulmein. While waiting for the tide the ship dropped anchor at Amherst, a village named after Lord Amherst, the Governor-General. Marks took the opportunity of going ashore for a few hours. His new environment delighted him. Describing the scene he wrote: “ I felt that if I was not in Paradise itself, I must be somewhere in the neighbourhood.” Under a grove of coconut palms, glad to be alone for a short time he walked about and then knelt to pray under a large tree.

Just then there appeared some half-dozen Mon (Talaing) lads dressed in bright garments. Marks and the boys looked at each other in amazement. He had never seen Burmans before and they were surprised to see an Englishman alone and on his knees in their garden. They did not by any means appear bloodthirsty as he had been told: he had no fear of them and they showed no signs of fear of him. Marks took the initiative and put out his hand saying, “How do you do boys?” Not being acquainted with English customs the boys probably thought that young Marks was about to strike them. They fled and Marks burst out laughing. The lads then stopped and laughed too. Marks signalled them to return and they complied with his request.

There following an amusing conversation, neither side understanding a word. Eventually Marks resorted to the dumb signs. The lads gathered from him that he had just landed from the ship which was then visible. He also indicated to them that he was thirsty. One of them who had a “saungdad” climbed a tree, cut off two green coconuts, then descending, cut the top off and handed one to him and for the first time he tasted the delicious draught.

Two days later, Marks landed at Moulmein. He set to work in the Mission School which eventually developed into the well-known St. Augustine’s S.P.G. He taught the boys English and learnt Burmese from them and not from dictionaries and grammars.

Moulmein had been the Capital of the Province of Tenasserim for 36 years when young Marks arrived and during that period a number of sons and daughters had been born to British Officials and traders, some of whom were of mixed blood. They had to be educated and Marks, who came out originally to work for the Burmans, undertook the task of educating them pending the arrival of a promised special English teacher for them.

Remarkable headway was made both in the class room and games, so much so that when the special teacher for the European lads arrived, several parents raised objection to removing their children to the new school and some even petitioned the authorities in England when compelled to do so. The European School, however, did not have a long life and the boys returned to the Mission School.

Marks took care that no preference was shown to Europeans as the governing class and to prevent the growth of any “slave mentality” amongst the brown and black pupils as children of the conquered race. The school under such a personality as young Marks grew in numbers and soon there were about 300 boys of all nationalities, English, Anglo-Burmans, Armenians, Jews, Hindus, Madrassis, Burmans, Mons (Talaings,) Chinese, Shans and Karens.

The classes were overcrowded. Funds were raised and a suitable school building was built and was formally opened by the Commissioner, Mayor A. Fytche, in the presence of the military and civil officers and of the merchants and other residents of Moulmein. The Bishop of Calcutta the same year visited the school and was thoroughly pleased with the work done, remarking that it showed “a large outlay on the part of the managers of zeal, ability and enthusiasm.”

After two years most successful work at Moulmein, Marks proceeded to Calcutta and after his ordination there was authorised by Bishop Cotton to establish a school at Rangoon. On his way he touched at Akyab and took charge of nine lads for their education.

At Rangoon, Marks was given every encouragement in his work by Sir Arthur Phayre, Chief Commissioner, whose love for the Burmans was duly reciprocated.

Sir Arthur supported every good work. Marks first proceeded to Moulmein to give over charge of the school and then returned to Rangoon with a nucleus of ten of his best Moulmein pupils.

On March 14th 1864, the S.P.G. Mission School at Rangoon commenced work in a small building known as “The Cottage.” When the school grew in numbers and a larger building was found necessary, Marks endeavoured to get a suitable piece of land and the Government remained firm in its attitude in regard to assigning freehold land to the Missions.

In spite of the kindness shown by Col. Phayre to both Marks and the Mission, he persistently refused to grant any piece of land to the Mission to erect a school, though the Baptists, Roman Catholics and Buddhists were in possession of large grants. A similar difficulty had occurred in Moulmein. The Local Government refused. The Secretary of State for India in London, however, granted the Mission 25 acres of freehold land. With this precedent, Marks appealed against Col. Phayre’s refusal to Sir John Lawrence the Governor-General, who though keen to assist missionary work, also refused.

When Marks went on leave to England, during his stay in London, he went with the Society’s permission, and appealed to the Hon. Charles Wood to do for the Mission in Rangoon as he had done before for it in Moulmein. The Secretary of State for India was very courteous and kind but firm in his refusal. One acre whereon to build a church, however, was given as a freehold grant. This was a great concession. The present school chapel is built on this acre of land and the remaining area was bought over by Marks for the Mission at Rs. 200 per acre.

During his short furlough to England Marks recruited a number of young clergymen, Colbeck, Fairclough and others to work in Burma. On his return to Rangoon he found the school making satisfactory progress. Pupils from all parts of Burma were admitted and with the increase in numbers a new building “Woodlands” was taken up.

From time to time Marks went through schools and he accordingly devoted all his energy to education. Though no parents ever raised any objection to teaching their sons the Christian religion, it did not indicate that parents desired to see their sons forsake their ancestral religion. From time to time parents asked if he intended to make the pupils Christians. In 1869, when he was at one of the stations on the Irrawaddy, starting an S.P.G. Mission School, the question of religion was mooted.

One of the elders spoke very calmly and respectfully and asked if the English hpongyi meant to make all pupils Christians. Before he could rely, another elder asked whether the same secular subjects would be taught as were being imparted to the boys in Rangoon and Moulmein. Marks replied in the affirmative and added that while he would do his best in secular work, his great aim was to teach his religion for their souls’ salvation. One of the elders then said “we give our children rice as their daily food and one or more kinds of curry, fish, vegetables or meat, as we can afford. All eat rice, so all must have secular instruction. The curry is like the religious teaching. We have given them Buddhism curry; this English priest beings Christianity. So both are set before our boys. Let them taste both and judge for themselves which they like best.” This speech thoroughly pleased the assembled parents and the school was established and did good work.


When touring up country and visiting the border stations of Thayetmyo, Marks longed to cross the frontier and to extend his missionary work in the territory of the Burmese King. He hinted to Sir Arthur Phayre that he desired to visit the Burmese Court but Sir Arthur would not hear of it. The British relations with King Mindon, though he would not sign a treaty, were amicable. Mindon was a learned man in his way and prided himself on his title the “Great Chief of Righteousness” and “the Convenor of the Fifth Buddhist Synod.”

As a devout Buddhist he spent a great portion of the revenues of his country in building pagodas and monasteries and in feeding an immense number of hpongyis. The Government of India was very anxious to continue on good terms with him, to the advantage of both countries. Accordingly Sir Arthur would neither sanction nor recommend the Rev’d. going to Mandalay.

The decision of Sir Arthur was a great disappointment to the young missionary who however, had not long to wait, for one of King Mindon’s sons, the Thonze Prince, owing to some family trouble, had come to Rangoon where he was well received by the Burmans. Prince Thronze was shown round the sights of Rangoon and among the places he visited was St. John’s College S.P.G. The Prince showed great interest in the school. When the Prince returned to Mandalay the work of St. John’s was told to King Mindon. Sir Arthur was succeeded by General Albert Fytche as Chief Commissioner and the starting of an S.P.G. Mission at Mandalay no longer remained an insuperable question. The Rev’d. did not give up hopes of visiting Mandalay. One day he received, by special messenger, a letter with the Royal insignia of the Peacock and with the words: “From the King of Burma,” inscribed on it in beautiful characters, from J.S. Manook, an Armenian, who was the King’s Kalawun or Minister for Foreigners.

King Mindon asked Marks to visit the city of Mandalay, which the Burmans deemed to be the centre of the universe, where, under Royal Patronage and support, he could establish a similar Christian school for the benefit of the Burmese people.

Sir Albert Fytche, had heard favourable news from the British Resident, Major Sladen, regarding the opening of Mission work in Mandalay and accordingly consented to the Rev’d. proceeding to Mandalay. Marks arrived at the Royal city in October 1868, with six of the best pupils of St. John’s, one of whom was U Ba Too, C.I.E., K.S.M. who after a distinguished career in Government service passed away at Government House.

Mandalay was fascinating to the young missionary. His longing to visit it was at last realised. The city walls were four-square. There were bastions and imposing-looking gates and elegant turrets at intervals. A deep moat surrounded the Palace.

The Rev’d. soon after his arrival was granted an informal interview by the King. He and his boys went to the Palace in bullock carts. The wheels of the carts consisted of solid blocks. The roads outside the city walls were in a poor condition and the English priest’s party arrived at the Palace gates after receiving a good shaking. The Rev’d. then walked across the Palace grounds and saw the famous white elephant.

The King desired to know what requests the English priest had to make, with an assurance that all were granted before they were asked. The Rev’d. told him that his request were: “Permission to labour as a Christian missionary in his Capital and Country; to build a Church at Mandalay for worship according to the use of the Church of England; to get a piece of land for an English Cemetery; to build with His Majesty’s help, a Christian School for Burmese boys."

The King said that the English priest had his full sanction to preach the Christian religion in his dominions and that no one should be molested for listening or even for becoming a Christian.

The schools for a thousand boarders and day scholars would be build and maintained at the King’s expense; they would be erected according to the Burmese pattern, with such alterations as the English Priest might request. The King asked whether the Rev’d. would undertake the education of some of his sons. The Rev’d. replied that he would most gladly do so. On asking what age would be suitable, twelve to fourteen years was suggested. The King turned to his servants and ordered them to being those of his sons who were from about twelve to fourteen years old and nine boys were produced.

King Mindon was not keen on any young Buddhist becoming a Christian. Speaking to the S.P.G. lads who accompanied the Rev’d. he told them not to forget the religion of their ancestors. The Rev’d. was ready with a reply on behalf of the boys and said that Christianity taught them to worship the everlasting God (Payah) to obey His law (Tayah) and to receive instruction from the clergy (Thangah.)

The King asked the Rev’d. not to think him an enemy to the Christian religion. He said that if he had been so, he would not have called him to his city. He assured the Rev’d. that when he had taught the Burmese people and they desired to enter into the Christian belief, they had his full permission.

Continuing, he said in all earnestness, that should his own sons, under Marks instruction, desire to become Christian, he would let them do so and not be angry with them.

The Kalawun told the King that he had heard the Rev’d. pray for the health, happiness and prosperity of the Burmese King and the Royal family in the service on Sunday. The Rev’d. gave the King a copy of the prayer for King Mindon and for Queen Victoria in the vernacular. The King read several portions aloud and was deeply interested.

After all the arrangements had been made for the school, the Rev’d. left Mandalay on November 2nd with deep thankfulness to the great King.

With the blessing of the Governor General, Sir John Lawrence and the Metropolitan for the success of the S.P.G. Mission in the Burmese Kingdom Dr. Mark’s left Rangoon in April 1869, accompanied by ten of his best boys of St. John’s College, arriving at Mandalay in June 1869. The S.P.G. Royal School was opened both for boarders and day-scholars of all nationalities.

At an interview with the King the young Princes came very elegantly dressed and knelt down before the King, their father, who formally delivered them over to the Rev’d. Knowing the punctilious etiquette of Burmese Royalty, the Rev’d. suggested that nine Princes would be too great an honour to begin with and that he should prefer to commence with four.

The King consented and so on the following Monday morning Princes Shwe Koo, Mine Done, Thibaw and Thagara were selected to attend school.

When the Princes arrived there was considerable stir in the school. One of the pupils rushed to the Rev’d. in excitement and informed him of their arrival. They were each mounted on a royal elephant. Each had two gold umbrellas held over him with forty followers behind. When the procession reached the priests residence, the elephants knelt down and the Princes descended and came up to him. Marks had prepared a few mechanical toys, telescopes etc. for their entertainment. The attendants of the Princes rushed up, pulled off the toys and put the Princes’ spittoons and water pots on the table.

The Princes’ were then taken over to the school hall. The boys had previously been seated at their desks but as soon as the Princes’ entered, according to Burmese custom, the boys went flat on the floor. None of them dared to stand or sit in the presence of Royalty. The Rev’d. tried to induce the boys to get up, informing them that the Princes’ had come not as “Minthas” but as “Kyoungthas.” The boys looked very miserable and frightened. The Rev’d. then went forward and pulled up one of the boys and then another. As soon as each boy was released to pull up another the former went down flat upon his face again. The Rev’d. then turned to the Princes’ who were shaking with laughter and asked them to help him in persuading the boys to get up and go on with their work. The eldest Shwe Koo then told the boys that they were not to be frightened and that they (the Princes) were school-fellows and to get up and go on as if they were not there. The boys then crept up to their seats and went on with their work. Gradually both the boys and teachers got along with the Royal pupils. One of the pupils at the S.P.G. Royal School at Mandalay who eventually turned out to be a brilliant scholar was the late Mr Taw Sein Ko, I.S.O., J.I.H.

The sight of the boys coming to school was interesting. Some of them of well-to-do parents came on richly-dressed ponies, some in beautiful carved little carts drawn by trotting bullocks and some of the traders’ children on men’s shoulders.

It was the King’s express wish that the Princes should be taught in exactly the same subjects and in precisely the same way as other pupils. They were also to be taught the English priest’s holy religion and King Mindon would often question the Princes on the scripture lessons they learned in school. English games, especially cricket, were introduced in the playing fields and the Princes entered heartily into the game.

On June 8th 1870 the Rev’d. was asked to allow the Princes to leave school earlier as the Katha Prince, who had rebelled against the King, was to be publicly beheaded that afternoon with the other leaders, in the cemetery near the Mission compound. The Rev’d. had heard that priests and monks could intercede on behalf of such condemned persons and apprised the British Resident of his intention to do so. The Resident reminded him that he should so do only in his private capacity.

The Rev’d. with one of his assistants proceeded to the Palace and was given an audience by the King who was surprised at his visit.

The Rev’d. began by praising King Mindon for his clemency and humanity and then prayed for pardon for the foolish rebels who were to be executed that day, pointing out that by an exhibition of Royal clemency the King, who was already firmly seated on his throne, would have his power further consolidated.

A large crowd had assembled on the road to the cemetery waiting for the procession of the rebels to their execution. King Mindon gave necessary instructions to stop the execution. The Rev’d. on the following day was told that everything, even the preparation of the scarlet velvet bag to encase the Royal Prince’s corpse, had been prepared.

King Mindon asked the Rev’d. to submit a plan for the construction of an English Church which was to be built at his cost. The Rev’d. suggested that friends in Rangoon, Calcutta and England would gladly contribute towards the expense. The King in astonishment said: “I am a King, I want no assistance in my works of merit.” There was, however, only one contribution that was permitted towards the Church. Queen Victoria heard of King Mindon’s Royal S.P.G. Church in the course of a sermon preached by one of the Burma Missionaries on leave and she sent out a most beautiful font of variegated marble, in token of her appreciation of King Mindon’s generosity.

The Church was consecrated by Bishop Milman who came over expressly for the purpose in 1873. In an audience the King gave the Bishop he expressly asked him not to change the Rev’d. Marks for any other, though he was at times haughty and had often showed considerable impatience with the progress of the construction of the school buildings.

After 60 years the Royal S.P.G. Church which was completely built of teak was found to require repairs and it was recently entirely re-built. The font is still in use in admitting into the Church all who accept the faith. Annually in the month of August on the Feast of Transfiguration a unique service is held at the Royal S.P.G. Church in which all communities, English, Burmese, Chinese and Indian, take part, each community singing the hymns in their mother tongue.

The King was never regular with financial contributions to the school. After repeated requests on one occasion he sent less than half the amount due to the Rev’d. who is alleged to have returned the money. The King was indignant. The Rev’d. did not have an audience till a few days after. The King did not show any annoyance but told the Rev’d. that he did wrong in sending back Royal money, informing him that had his highest Minister committed such an offence, he would have been dragged out of the Palace by his hair. The Rev’d. was not perturbed. He assured His Majesty that he had no wish to offend him. As regards the form of punishment, his baldness of head, he said, made it impossible for the King to inflict the penalty. The King laughed heartily and called the Queens to enjoy the joke. The arrears of contributions were then at once paid up.

At a private audience the King suggested that the Rev’d. could help him by proceeding to England in his sea-going steamer, theSetkya-Yin-Byan, taking with him two or three of the Princes and pleading with Queen Victoria, in consideration for what he had done for the Rev’d., to return to him Bassein and Rangoon.

The Rev’d. definitely pointed out that he could not do so. At this the King was very displeased.

The Rev’d. never saw the King again though he went often to the Palace for the arrears of contributions. No more audiences or Royal money were forthcoming. Finally the Rev’d. was informed that the King did not want him anymore and that he had better leave Mandalay as his life might be in danger. The Rev’d. however, was not to be frightened. He often slept with open doors.

The Princes absented themselves from school. They, however, having developed an attachment for the Rev’d. sent him presents and greetings from time to time. The school continued with paying pupils after it ceased to enjoy Royal patronage.

The Rev’d. arrived at Rangoon in January 1875. He was sorry to leave Mandalay but was not chest fallen and entertained hopes of returning to the Royal city. Glad to be back again at St John’s he had founded eleven years ago, he assumed charge of it as principal which post he held for the next twenty years during which he put in the best part of his service.

In 1879, in recognition of his unique talents and eminent services rendered to the Church, he was presented with the Lambeth Degree of D.D. by Archbishop Tait.

He had an efficient and excellent band of workers, amongst whom may be mentioned Mr (later Sir) James George Scott (known as Shwe Yoe, his nickname in school) the Rev’d. B. Mahon, Mr Rutledge (known as Says Bee Loo Gyi) Saya Tydd, Saya Wemyss and others.

Dr. Marks succeeded extraordinarily well in creating the spirit of fraternity and mutual affection and trust amongst not only the masters and boys but also the boys of all nationalities and creeds. The Doctors boundless affection showed itself in his treatment to all his boys whom he affectionately called his “sons.” In all letters written to the Doctor all his boys subscribed themselves “Your affectionate son.” These were not empty words. The affection of the sons for the old Doctor was real and materialized in the Marks’ Memorial Fund.

An extract from his diary as far back as 21.06.69 says “Having sat up all night with Kyay Hmin who for a long time was delirious, I slept a little in the morning.” The Doctor would sit up night after night with sick boys and yet go on quite cheerfully with his teaching the next day.

The education of European, Anglo-Burmans, Burmans and other races side by side at St John’s required great tact and supervision. Like the S.P.G. Royal School, St. John’s also admitted the Princes of Royal blood. There were a number of Hteik Tins as well as sons of Sawbwas who mixed with the commoners both in class and playground. The only preference shown to the Princes or sons of Sawbwas or the sons of leading Europeans was that they were from time to time allowed to breakfast or lunch with the Doctor.

Marks was a firm believer in the disciplinary aspect of military training in schools. St John’s had two efficient cadet corps with a brass band and fife and drum band. Besides, there was a company of senior boys dressed in white uniform who accompanied the cadet corps to the Rangoon Volunteer parade ground every Monday.

The St. John’s College Cadet Corps enjoyed an excellent reputation as the most efficient of all the Volunteer Corps in the Province. During the third Burmese war almost all the members volunteered for active service and though the offer was not accepted, the St. John’s Cadet Corps was placed under active service conditions; and for the time being it became part of the garrison of Rangoon. Lord Roberts and other military officers spoke highly of the corps. There was a good percentage of Burmans in the corps.

The tattoo was sounded by the buglers every night for the boys to retire to bed. On parade mornings the reveille was sounded to rouse the cadets. The bugle for the officers’ mess was sounded every evening before the Doctor’s dinner.

U Shwe Hman, one of the Doctor’s most beloved pupils, said that when he first came to St John’s he thought it was a military college with its armoury, brass bands and cadet corps. Military drills twice a week for the whole school with a parade on Mondays awoke in the boys the spirit of manliness as well as of prompt obedience to orders.

In addition to the military training and the athletic games played at St. John’s the civic sense of the boys was developed by the maintenance of an efficient Fire Brigade and St. John’s was well known for the help it invariably rendered whenever any outbreak of fire occurred.

Mr James George Scott and his colleagues, the senior teachers, introduced football both Rugger and Soccer and the school team in those days had no equal. The College Soccer Team in 1900 played an exhibition game, before a record gathering, with the Royal Irish, who were then champions of India. The game ended in a draw, the home team scoring the first goal.

Hulton, and later Lonsdale, were for several years champions in the all-schools athletic meetings and Nelson Ba Than, now a Sessions Judge and Samuel were distinguished footballers. For years St. John’s led the way in the field not only amongst the school teams but also amongst the other senior league teams of Rangoon.

After acting as principal for 20 years Marks broke down in health in 1895 and was ordered home to England. Though he recovered he was not strong enough to carry on the work at St. John’s, which needed younger men. Accordingly he accepted the Chaplaincy at Moulmein and he came out again and spent 2 ½ years at Moulmein. He was glad to get back there, where he was able again to meet all his old “sons.” He took ill again in 1898 and his medical advisors ordered him to return to England again.

Shortly after the Marks left Burma in 1898, the Old “Johnians” called a meeting to raise a fund called the Marks’ Memorial Fund not only to a memorial to the old Doctor but also to provide him with a monthly allowance.

When the Doctor had recovered his health the Marks’ Memorial Committee in 1900 which was then providing him with a stipend requested him to pay a visit, promising to pay all expenses. The Doctor was very thankful and accepted the invitation to revisit Burma which he described as his beloved country.

On arrival at Rangoon the Doctor was given a great ovation. The school band led the procession playing “See the Conquering Hero Comes.” The Doctor’s carriage was preceded by a company of sixty cyclists and followed by nearly a hundred carriages.

Several halts were made en route to St. John’s, bouquets were presented and refreshments provided to the procession. At St. John’s a decorated Mandat was erected and the Doctor was given a thrilling welcome by his past and present “sons.”

After staying a few months in Rangoon the Doctor’s health broke down and on March 29th 1901, he again said goodbye to Burma and for the last time. In England the Doctor continued to labour on behalf of the S.P.G. He preached in almost all the Cathedrals in England on Burma and the S.P.G. Mission and thus aroused public interest in Burma and the Burmans. He also contributed articles to the Rangoon Gazette regularly. In spite of his old age he preached constantly and up to within a few days of his death was actually in harness.

It is seldom that teachers are provided with a pension by their old pupils. Such cases are unheard of. The Marks’ Memorial Fund provided the old Doctor for over seventeen years with a monthly stipend till his death in 1915. After his death the fund was divided, one portion being used for the foundation of scholarships and the other for a Memorial Chapel. The Chapel on the free grant of land was built with the Marks’ Memorial Fund assisted by the S.P.G. and is a standing memorial to Doctor Marks. During the Doctor’s lifetime a church was built for him by King Mindon, and after his death his non-Christian “sons,” including Buddhists and Hindus voluntarily subscribed towards the building of the Christian Memorial Church.

Portions of the Memorial Fund were invested and the interest pays for four scholarships at the University and several of the Marks scholars have since secured appointments in the superior services of Government in the Civil, Imperial Forest and Veterinary departments.

What are the characteristics of the old Doctor that can be recounted for our inspiration? As he landed at Amherst he went on his knees thanking Providence for his safe arrival and praying for power to be of service to the people of Burma. “Johnian’s” can emulate and develop this spirit of the Doctor, first by thanking Providence for one’s opportunity to serve Burma and then asking assistance to be of real service to our people. To the old Doctor, service for others especially for his boys was by no means a task but a joy. He would sit up with sick lads as a mother would do with her sons, glad to be able to be of service to relieve them of any pain or suffering. His whole life was one of service. The spirit and joy of service pervaded the life of the old Doctor and if any old “Johnian’s” have any of it, it is because they caught it from him.

Another outstanding characteristic is his selfless generosity. When ordered back to England on account of his health he was approached by one of his “sons” who ventured to ask him how his finances stood before he went on board. An old boy had come to see the Doctor with his tale of woe and the Doctor gave him financial assistance leaving him only one rupee to carry him back to England. Such was the unstinted love the Doctor had for his “sons.” He realised and practised the truth “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

St John’s College was visited by the leading Government officials and merchants. The Doctor had a genius for making and keeping friendships. He was on friendly terms with the rulers of the province and was on terms of great intimacy with the Chief Commissioners Sir Arthur Phayre and Sir Charles Bernard, both of whom had great regard for him. Though a missionary he kept an open house. His birthday the 4th June was a red letter day at St. John’s. There invariably was a dinner party to which the notables of the land came and the college brass band enlivened the evening. The Doctor was an extraordinary genius in entertaining guests and was an excellent after dinner speaker. Possessed of a remarkable memory he had an ample supply of anecdotes which he narrated at dinners in a quiet restraint which enhanced its effect. His friendships with the Government officers and managers of firms helped considerably in raising funds for the support of the school.

A good deal of his time was devoted not only to the Rangoon Municipality but also to the Educational Syndicate for which he did considerable spade work in laying the foundation for the present University. When in the House of Commons Sir John Jardine moved the question for the establishment of the Rangoon University and a favourable reply was received, he wrote to the Doctor whom he acknowledged as one who on right lines had worked hard for its establishment.

Dr. Marks possessed an extraordinary personality and had unique sympathy with boys. He was one of those members of the white race who realised that the Burman was not a blood-thirsty being but whatever his failings he was a “born gentleman.” To the old Doctor, there was neither Greek nor Jew. Sons of the governing class of Britishers and the Burmans were treated alike. The Burmans with the blue blood running in their veins such as the Hteik Tins and the sons of Sawbwas and the sons of the commoners were also treated in the spirit of equality and fraternity. The Doctors boundless and passionate love for boys and his extraordinary way of winning their affection and his open handed generosity contributed to make him one of the most loved Britishers in Burma.

On his death the S.P.G. passed the following resolution – it is with no ordinary feelings that the Society assembled in its monthly meeting in the Society’s House on Friday, October 15th 1915, placed on the list of those who have departed this life the name of the Rev’d. J.E. Marks, assured that posterity will accord him a place among the great educational missionaries of the age. There are few also who have led a life so full of romance and in situations which brought him into touch with some of the great political movements within the empire.

“Lives of great men all remind us we can make
our lives sublime;
And departing, leave behind us footprints on the
sands of time.”
This extract is taken from a small book, the Introductory page reads as follows:
Heroes of Burma 
A compilation of lectures delivered by 
W.L. Barretto Esq., O.B.E., Bar-at-law of the Middle Temple.
“The object of this book is not to embalm the history of the past, but to use it to inspire the on-coming youth to greater achievements in the future.”
Cost of printing paid by Mr Tan Shu Yon, Honorary Magistrate and Proprietor Electric Supply Company, Pyapon
   The sale proceeds are in aid of the Artha Booth-Gravely Memorial Endowment (Blind School) Fund.